THE government recently unveiled its foreign policy framework with the theme, “Change in Continuity”.
The document is an attempt by the government to present a new narrative of foreign policy for the country.
Two Foreign Policy Strategic Plans were released by the government before this.
These were launched prior to the presentation in Parliament of the country’s Five-Year national development plans.
The first Foreign Affairs Ministry Strategic Plan 2009-2015 was for the 11th Malaysia Plan and the second Strategic Plan 2016-2020 for the 12th Malaysia Plan.
The components and objectives of the two strategic plans were almost similar.
Strategic Plan 1, 2009-2015:
SAFEGUARD the national sovereignty;
DEVELOP bilateral diplomacy;
CONSOLIDATION within Asean;
MANAGING information diplomacy; and,
BUILD human capital.
Strategic Plan 2, 2016–2020:
STRENGTHEN bilateral diplomacy;
STRENGTHEN multilateral diplomacy;
STRENGTHEN Asean;
SERVE the stakeholders and clients promote Malaysia;
ENGAGE in public diplomacy; and,
INTENSIFY human capital.
The framework above carried four components and a single theme as follows:
FOREIGN Policy directions;
EMPOWERMENT of the Foreign Ministry;
INTERAGENCY collaboration; and,
PUBLIC collaboration.
The above list was presented in this way to make the policymaking process more inclusive as follows:
THE ministry has been given more room to steer the foreign policy of the country based on the directions determined by the government; and,
THE decision-making process has been widened to include the participation of those outside the ministry.
To comment on the choice of the theme, “Change in Continuity”, it has become obvious that besides creating a new image of governance, the four component parts of the framework will also restore the public’s confidence in the system.
Hopefully this could help dispel public misconceptions on the workings of the country’s foreign policy that have been expressed lately by the people over the government’s mishandling of various issues.
As to “continuity”, firstly, we have to accept the fact of a new coalition government.
Secondly, it has to be recognised that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was chosen to lead once again as the country’s seventh prime minister.
Malaysia’s stability is the product of a democratic system of government, and support for an open economic system.
In foreign policy terms, this could be translated into the country having a bigger need to survive on the ideals of independence and development.
Continuity through the politics of coalition-building has assisted the respective governments, including the New Malaysia government, in keeping pace with development within the global environment.
DR AZHARI-KARIM
Former Malaysian ambassador